Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Swee Guan Hokkien Mee : it just didn't taste that good

This legendary Fried Hokkien Mee is located at a coffee shop in Geylang Lorong 29 together with the supposedly famous Kwong Satay and Hup Kee Fried Oyster. And, do not mistaken this with another Fried Hokkien Mee stall that is known as Geylang Lorong 29 Fried Hokkien Mee but located at Telok Kurau. That stall, in fact, is operated by another family member that went separate way and started his own stall, both stalls are still using charcoal to fry their Hokkien Mee the traditional way. This stall has been around since 1968. The current boss has been doing it since 1979 and has a total of 35 years of cooking it, he was the one that fried my plate of Hokkien Mee that evening.

There was a short queue when i was there for dinner and i ended up waited for about 30 minutes before receiving my plate of Fried Hokkien Mee.

The noodles, consist of thin bee hoon, thick bee hoon and yellow egg noodles, came out a little gooey but rather flavorful, served together with squids and prawns, fried with a handful of beansprouts in rich prawn stock then served with sambal chilli. It came with a distinct charcoal accent used i did not quite get used to it, it did not actually taste like wok hei but a rather subtle smoky flavor of charcoal, that is more towards a rather uncomfortable charred taste. To the extent, i even left quite a big portion unfinished.

I might just give it a go if i happen to be vicinity next time as i am not quite convinced how could a legendary Fried Hokkien Mee that has been around for so many years tasted so bad? probably i was just unlucky to be there on their off day.